NZ Winter Games launched

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 404, 17 September 1991, Page 20

NZ Winter Games launched

The official opening of the first-ever New Zealand Winter Games

was held in Ohakune on Sunday. Prior to the opening

an informal luncheon to launch the Games was held at the Powderkeg

Restaurant in Ohakune Junction. Those attending the luncheon included Prime Minister and member for King Country the Rt. Hon. Jim Bolger and his wife, the Minister of Sport and Tourism the Hon. John Banks, Ruapehu District Mayor Garrick Workman, Wanganui Mayor Chas Poynter, ATG Waiouru Camp Commander, Colonel Keith Sinclair, Hilary Commission director Mr Peter Dale and other invited guests including Games organisers, sponsors (including Mr Maurice Saxton representing the Manawatu/Wanganui Area Health Board's "Drink Safe Campaign") and top

New Zealand skier Simon Wi Rutene. Mr Bolger gave his full support to the Games and complimented the Games organisers Andreas and Yvonne Hefti for their vision and achievement whicfc had taken 10 months of hard work to prepare. "As this area's member of Parliament I am more than happy to assist in any way I can to promote and ensure the success of these Winter Games because it can only benefit the entire local community on the Central Plateau," he said. "With an increasing number of people travelling the world New Zealand must make sure it attracts its share of tourists and, because we are smaller, we've got to be smarter than other major tourist countries." He said that events such as the New Zealand Winter Games were a positive step towards achieving that goal. Because of prior commitments (he was on Sunday night's TV1 programme 'Frontline) Mr Bolger had to leave for Wellington before the official opening of the New Zealand Winter Games, a ceremony that was performed later by the Minister of Tourism John Banks following a parade of vintage vehicles and floats along Thames Street, and a Maori challenge and welcome from the local Maungorongo Marae representing the tangata whenua.